Agricultural implement



June l5, 1965 A. F. sAMMET 3,188,786

AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT Filed Nov. 28, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Enf June 15, 1965 A. F. sAMMET 3,188,786

AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT Filed Nov. 28, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. /70/'0/7 /'amme ATTO EYS 'June l5, 1965 A. F. sAMMl-:T 3,188,786

AGRI CULTURAL IMPLEMENT Filed Nov. 28, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 y m /0 Q T 1 Il /1 l as INVENTOR. fa/'on E 64mm e A TTORNE YS ditions-down grain, weedy grain, etc. this type of mechanism does not limit the width of the United States Patent O 3,188,786 AGRCULTURAL HMPLEMENT j Aaron F. Samnle't, R0. Box 163, Princeville, lll.

Filed Nov. 28, 1961, Ser. No. 155,370

14 Claims. (Cl. 5ta-21) My invention relates generally to an agricultural implement. More particularly, the implement comprises an improved type combined harvester, portions of which can also be used for chopping hay and forage or as a hammer mill for kgrinding feed; or the whole machine can be used as a corn picker-Sheller when a two row snapping head is attached.

The kpresent application constitutes a continuation-inpart application of my earlier filed application, Serial No. 851,408, filed November 6, 1959, which application is now abandoned.

. The invention has several purposes which will be further described under the listings of The Header; Impeller Cylinder Blower or Rotating Paddle and Chopper Bar Structure, which will do the threshing, shelling, chopping or. hammer milling; and Rotating Sifter Drum or Revolving Separator.

The prime purpose and object of this invention is to provide an improved machine of such a design that this eight foot cut machine ft. wide overall) is smaller and more compact than present six or seven foot cut machines of pull type. This machine can be pulled v or mounted on the side of a row crop tractor.

The' present construction permits exceptionally easy accessability to any parts which mightneed to be repaired or to the several parts which provide change over from ,the diiferent type grains to another, or the change over to a hay chopper or a hammer mill. The whole machine pivots on the wheel bearings when raising or lowering the cutter bar.

ln line with the cost of this machine it can be `seen that its multiple uses will greatly reduce the owners outlay in doing several jobs with the same machine. The machine is very cheap to manufacture because of the small number of moving parts and the fact that it has no gear cases.

Other important objects of this invention are to provide -an improved header, an improved impeller type cylinder blower or paddle and chopper bar structure and an improved revolving separator.

The header which consists of the cutter bar and the specially ldesigned rectractable linger auger has these advantages:

The angular sickle guards lean the grain stalks to one side in preparation for the auger iiights to further lean the grain stalks over and lin-ally the fingers pull the stalks into the auger pan for conveying the cut material to the cylinder.

The sickle itself is aiways angled upward from the ground (5 to 20) with respect to its mounting which assures that the shatered grain will be worked into the pan.

This cutter bar and auger will 'work under `all oon- Furthermore,

cut and therefore is believed to be an improvement over the Dray U.S. Patent 2,352,257; and, also, the present mechanism does not allow tall weeds to be entangled as they would be in an apparatus having a reel set for down grain. `By using a mechanism of the present type having an auger, there is no adjustment for the operator to make which is in direct contrast to where conventional yreels are used which must be adjusted depending on the height of the grain. Also, the elimination of the conventional reel allows the frame to be designed much narrower on pull type combines as shown.

liifl Patented .lune l5, 1%55 ice The close proximity of the cutter bar to the ground wheels results in automatic header control height without attachments, which is a further advantage of my header construction.

The movement of the auger iiights close to the inside hammers of the impeller cylinder blower assures transfer of materials from auger pan to cylinder.

An exceedingly important feature of my invention resides in the relationship of the sickle with respect to the auger liights in that the sickle is positioned directly under the front part of the auger flight and not a foot or eighteen inches ahead of it as on most machines with auger he aders.

Still another important feature is the provision of retnactable fingers mounted on the auger blade or ight enabling the fingers to be extended forwardly of the sickle or cutter ba-r to gather in grain in a new and improved manner.

The impeller type cylinder blower is mounted very low which allows the -axle of the machine to be used for the rear bearing mount. The auger material control angle iron on the auger is used for the front bearing mount which is a cost reduction feature.

The larger diameter (30) of the impeller cylinder provides a large threshing Iarea since the circumference is almost eight feet. Due to this feature complete threshing or shelling of grains is assured without the use of any concaves. Once grain is threshed it merely slides along the smooth surface until discharged through the exhaust. No hulling or cracking occurs.

As the auger forces the materials into the semi-circular opening of the impeller housing, the four internal hammers centrifugally throw the material toward the round threshing bars which further cast it outward into the path of the four sets of staggered hammers or teeth. The iinal threshing takes place as the material passes past the hammers and the inside periphery of the housing. Finally all material is discharged into the exhaust where it is blown via the conduit into the revolving separator. Since the whole machine pivots when raised or lowered, flexible couplings `are eliminated on the conduit. The lower area of the separator is provided with an inside batlie so that all material makes one complete revolution before being discharged.

In accordance with other features of my invention, a revolving separator is provided to receive the threshed materials and straw, etc., from the round conduit (as pictured) and separates the clean grain from the straw and other foreign materials. The separator replaces conventional walking straws racks and shaker shoes. The revolving separator is extremely simple in it s mode of operation, and in the accessibility of its screens, fan controls and moving parts. lt is believed that the revolving separator is an improved combination of revolving straw deck and sieve chaffer over conventional structures such as shown in W. Streich et al. U.S. Patent 2,825,455 and O. Reitman US. Patent 2,811,158 and- R. W. Gotshall U.S. Patent 935,138. The latter patent merely shows a huge tailings device.

According to further features of the revolving separator, the conduit from the impeller cylinder blower extends into the revolving separator to within about ten inches of the closed rear portion. The blown materials are deposited against the back side and lifted .by the series of circular teeth as the revolving separatorv turns at a speed such as 24 r.p.m. The diameter of the revolving separator may be thirty-six inchesso that the speed of the air flow is reduced as it reverses its direction and comes out the open end of the same. This reduced volume of air carries the straw and chaff out the open end while the grain falls through the apertures in the appropriate screen.

sieves 'to suck the grain through. the 'sieve` s. :This "cleanl in'g fan ldoes the nal cleaning lby,' blovy'ir'ig Ain' 'a Y'nearly vertical direction at exhaust.; There is `a d'eiectingldoor on the rear which is` removed when the machine -is used to separate heavy materials s'ch' a`s corn and soybeans. The l'cleanrg'r'ain Afalls 'into'the s'm'all conveyor ag'er which transfers it crossways fof the machin'e'to 'the v45 auger and 'then to 'the wagon.- The c'r'oss auger Yi's I'preferably' turned off by the turning action vv'of v'the wagon tongue when turning corners to keepthe grainV from being deposited onthe ground.

The revolving separator according. to other features of the invention has been built solas to beeconorriically maniifacturable s'ince 'one end of'the' separator i's closed and lrequires only one 'bearingo'n th'atje'nc'l,Y Furthermore, it is constructed so leach'cf 'the three screens covers "120 of -t-helperiph'eryand 'so 'the 'screens slide in 20 and out from the open end and are readily secured in place by one thumb screw each, along 'with one short piece-of strap iron (18").

The circular 'straw fr ac'k Vhas Elitters f our inches v'apart Thesel on the eight inch'spaced circular 'angle irons. lifters are angled 15 f towards 'the'open end to-help'work vstraw of the open end. Y

Anot'her featur'eof the invention concerns mounting i the cleaning ffan blades so 'close yto 'the siev'es 'that no other attachments-are necessary yto keep the 'sieves' `clean 'which feature is believed kto be incontra'st :to prior ar't `str-ucture's such as shown in the 'Reitman U.S. Patent 2,8ll, 158. n f 'Other iobjec'ts andffe'atres lof the 'present 'invention 'willgmor'e fully 'becomeappr'entiin view of the-follow'ing detailed description taken `in conjunction withv the -accompanying drawings illustrating 'singlle embodiment and"invfvlich: 'i Y. -F-IGURE 1 l*is a tp planfview'of''an 'agricultural'irn- 'ple'rnent 'with partsy being broken `-a'v"ay"'tc' 'show certain detailsofmyinvention; Y IGURE "2 is a fragmentary side" view lof the' agri- Vcultural'firnpleinent'shown?in:FIGURE'li `FIGURE; 3 is an "enlarged fragmentary 'cross 'sectional "viewitaken substantially-'on the line III-'III 'looking in thefdirectionlindicated 'by' 'the arrows,7as`s'een FIG- UREI; i

FIGURE "4 li's 'an' enlarged fragipefa'ry 'naar fview of the sickle andaugerassembly;

FIGURE f5 is ianenlrged defanedsecfian tke'nfstibstan'tially l'on the :line Vf-V 'l 'ool ing `inftlie directiony indicated bythearrows,` asfseen-imF-IGURE-B;

FIGURE 6 4is an enlarged AVdetail section taken sub- Y stantially on I'the linefVI-VI rlookingfin V'fthe .direction indicated by the'arr'o'ws, as seen'inFIGUREf l;

FIGURE 7 is an lenlarged"fragmentary partially sectioned view "'taken'substantially on kthe line 'VII- VII looking inthe direction indicated'by the arrows, as seen inFIGURE1; k t Y r FIGURE 8 is' an 'I enlarged @partially lsectioned cross `sectionalview takensubstanti-ally on the line VIIIe-VIII looking in the direction.. indicated Vby' the arrows, as "seeniniFIGURE 7; A v

FIGURE 9 'is-'a side-view of 'a hammerfassembly; and Y 'Y vFIGUREIO is a fragmentary side view of a separator. As lshown'on the drawings: v 4 l The reference numeral 10 indicates generally'an 'agri- "cultural implement whichmaybeoperated as a thresher,

y.a Sheller, 'a 'chopper or hammer, mill and as A.arevolving separator. Y f Y The implement 10 'includes a inain axle 1'1 having lwheels 12 mounted at ropposite ends thereof. Aframe Y13 is piv'otally mounted on the axle 11M by means'of conventional bearings (not shown). Fixedly mounted '30 'T herhead'er 5 as illustrated vat 17. The cylinder :17 is connected at its other end to the npivotal frame 1'3. When the Yagricultural 'implementflo is to vbe set for cutting height, the operator operates the cylinder 17'lto'cause the frame 13 to berotated upwardly through an `are about the main 10 Vaxle 1 1.` The cylinder L17 -may bperate'd lthrough conyentional'cont-rol-s `to r'otate'the fname '13 on the-axleinto aroad travel position. f i Y v f S'ckl'e Mounted on th'e .'fraln'e ,13:i 's 'a 'sickle indicated vgenerally at 19. -Th'e sickle 19 i's constructed-toom grain as well as to cut and. p ick iup downgrainfand includes axially spaced teethfor sickle. guards -20,v,a reciprocal bar '2 1'and' blades 522. Theblades-ZZ 'are secured-'to'lthe'blade 'bar 2'1 Wh'ile't'he'teeth() lare all'iixedly attached 't'o teeth or guard rod 23, `the trod 23 ,being secured vto 'the 'frame "13; .A conventional cam-type 'drive 24 (FIGURE 1 is ,provided'for reciprocating -the'blade 'and bar with respect t t'o the fixed angular 'teeth 'or guards "to feiect cutting. The

angular' teeth 20 are tangledmpw'ar'dly '5 "to 20 which assures-'thtfany 'shattered "grainvvill beQworlred .into

pan or 'conveyor'tlough 243.

Mounted -v'irfuudir'ecuy over Vthesickieeuuer blades 22 is a transverse screw 'conveyor'indicated generally at 25. The screw conveyor or auger 25 indicates-a tubular .screw conveyor or auger housing 26. Driven and fixed 5 isha-frs; 27, '27 are jbumalled 'on bearings 2s, z8', the

bearing 28 being mountedon'i'th'efframe i 13 v"ai1'd"th'e bearjing28f-` being mounted ontle auge'rfhousin'g 26. Housing 'brackets "29,' 29 `are provided on'theliou'sing -'26*sothat .the housing26 will -rotate with the driven shaft 27,'the

40 'brackets 29,"29 'being securdat t'er 'endsto 'the housing '26 Iand atinner ends "Withfbearin'gs 31"'aiid -28' (FIGUREAy. .Y j 'i A ixedly andeccentricallyfruted beater'rod'support shaft '3'0 iis 'disposed"interiorly'f'thc "housing "2'6, theshaft 30 beingreccentric to the central axis of the `housing '26 and drive "shaft '27. i' The 'bearing '31', 'is secured 'to ithe bra'cketfZf) in -such 1a' 'wa'y that'ou'ten'bearin'g ring'31a 'provides a'support'for the 'oifs'et'ndf3'0a o'f the shaft '30.

'with res'p'ect'itotthe bearing 28'.'

Welded or otherwise suitably. secured Vto the 'exterior of the housing v26,'is lan auger-blade'fSZ whichis -adapted to cause material leutfbyfthe. sickle 51H9 to move yfrom right-t'o-left',` as shown. inFIGUVRE .'Cooperablefwith the blade v32'ae a series of axially and lcireurnferentially -spaced rigidly mountedtrotating .beaterrods or'ngers 33 and 33.v 'Radially'inner ends ofithe-beaterv-rods-33 are 0 provided withY bearings .734 Vand fthe xedy beaten rod sup- 37Vand1the associattedrod 33.- By providing aball and socketco'nnection between-.the-outer endjoffthe rod 33 and the screw supportbracket 37,:eccentric frotation of :the beater` rods 33 is facilitated. j H'Ihe rods 33' revolve with thehousing and fares-welded at radially inner -endsdirectly tothe housing 2 6-incontrast1tothe eccentrically mounted rods 33.

sisef/8e A pulley-39 is mounted on the auger housing support shaft 27 which is connected by means of a belt il to a pulley 41 mounted on a tractor power take oil 42 as shown in FIGURES l and 2. The screw conveyor 25 and the conveyor trough 43 enable materials cut by the sickle to be swept and moved transversely with respect to the sickle and then conveyed into a rotating paddle and chopper bar structure as indicated at lid.

Impeller cylinder blower or rotating paddle and chopper bar structure Mounted on the frame 13 rearwardly of the discharge end of the auger 25 is an impeller cylinder blower or rotating paddle and chopper bar structure or hammer structure 44. The structure 44 includes a housing 45 having an inlet 46 disposed opposite the discharge end of the auger blade 32. Mounted within the housing a is a rotary paddle and chopper or chopper 47. The chopper 47 includes a bearing structure having a pair of bushings 48, 4S carried on a rotary paddle and chopper drive shaft 49. A sleeve 50 is secured to the bushings 4S, 4S'. The drive shaft 49 is mounted on bearings 51, 5l disposed at opposite ends of the structure 44 -and carried on the frame i3. The bearing 51 is also mounted by means of a bracket 52 on the housing 45.

A backplate 53 is welded to the sleeve 50 and tubular rods 54 are circumferentially spaced and each welded or otherwise suitably secured at one end to the backplate 53 and at an opposite end to a ring 55. Also mounted on the sleeve 50 are circumferentially spaced pairs of hammer lugs 56. Hammers or choppers 57 are each secured at one end between the lugs 56 by means of suitable fasteners indicated at 57a in FIGURE 8.

Also mounted within the housing d5 are a series of circumterentially spaced baliles 53 which are welded to the backplate 53 and to the sleeve 50. These bafes or paddles operate to beat up material conveyed into the paddle or baflie and chopper bar chamber indicated generally at 47. It will be appreciated that the conveyer functions to cause the cut material to move axially across and then rearwardly of the pan 43 through the housing inlet 46 into the chamber 47. This material is then beat up by the hammers 57 and by the baiiles 58 and then caused to be centrifugally discharged through discharge opening 59 (FIGURE 8) into a chute disposed about the opening 59 and then into a conduit 6l leading toL another apparatus to be hereafter described. The paddle and chopper bar or hammer drive shaft 49 has a pulley 62 mounted thereon and a belt 63 connects the pulley 62 with another pulley 64 mounuted on the power take off 42.

In order to further beat up the material within the chamber 47', a series of small hammers 65 aredisposed at circumferentially spaced points at the perimeter of the rotary chopper structure 47. To this end, the hammers 65 are provided with tubular hammer ends 66 `and hammer rods 67 extend through the tubular hammer ends 66. The hammer rods 67 are secured at opposite ends with the plate 53 and with the ring 55. Each of the hammers 65 extends generally radially outwardly of the backplate 53, the rods 54, the ring 55, as well as outwardly of the hammers 57 and the bafes 58. The small hammers 65 are disposed inclose proximity to the housing 45. If desired, the small ham-mers 65 may be turned so as to extend circumferentially of the rotary chopper structure 47 instead of radially of the rotary chopper structure 47 and ythen locked in the circumferential position as indicated by the dotted lines representing the hammer 65 at the bottom of the rotary chopper structure 47.

As the auger blade 32 forces the material into the semicircular inlet opening 46, the four internal hammers 57 throw the material toward the round threshing bars 5S which further cast the material radially outwardly into thepath of the four sets of staggered smaller radially outer hammers 65. The smaller hammers 65 operate to inally thresh the material and to cause it to pass outwardly through the discharge opening 59. The battles 58 function to assist in beating up the material within the chamber 7', and they cooperate with baille shield 43a to provide means to insure that all material within the chamber makes one complete revolution before it is discharged through the discharge opening 59. Since the material coming into the housing is first contacted by the inside hammers 57 and thrown outward, it can be seen it will not be discharged until it passes the area of the baie shield 43a, or alittle over one revolution.

The external hammers 65 are of such length that spacers may be inserted on each end to make the teeth follow a single path for hay chopping or they may be staggered..

They may be locked in extended position by inserting one long bolt and a Cotter key or locked out of position so only the round bars do the threshing of soy beans and for corn shelling.

Where the machine is to be used as a hay chopper, a grate 68 is suitably attached to the housing 45 over the discharge opening 59 and the conduit 61 is disconnected from the chute 66. As the hay is chopped within the chamber 47', it is then caused to be urged through the grate 68 outwardly through the conduit 6l and into a trailing wagon (not shown). A discharge spout may be mounted on the chute 6i) to facilitate transfer of the chopped material from the conduit 61 to the trailing wagon.

To use the paddle structure 44 as a hammer mill, the driving mechanisms to the header and to the revolving separator (to be hereafter described) would be disengaged. A grate such as grate 68 would be mounted over the discharge opening 59. The hammers would be locked in extended position or permitted to swing free and a hammer mill cyclone apparatus would be attached to the chute 66.

The grate 68 is provided with hollow ground cemented carbide tips 69 which are cemented thereon to further facilitate chopping of grain material. The grate is reversible as the carbide tips 69 would not be needed on dry material or when grinding an ear of corn. Where the apparatus i8 is to be used as a harvester, the grate 68' will be removed from the machine by sliding the grate 68 from underneath grate guides 67a, 67a after housing cover 67a has been pivoted on hinge 47h to expose the grate 68.

Rotating sfer drum 0r revolving separator A revolving sifter drum or separator is indicated generally at '70 and the details of this mechanism are best illustrated in FIGURE 3. The separator 70 includes a separator housing 71 having a rotary drum 72 journalled therein. The drum 72 is comprised of a series of axially spaced drum rings 73. The drum further includes a drum end plate 74' having a brace 75. Three arcuate corrugated pieces or screens 76 are mounted on thedrum rings 73. In order to secure the screens 76 on the drum '72, three arcuate outside drum strips 77 are engaged against the outer surfaces of the screens 76 and a single fastener 78 is provided for securing each screen 76 and its associated strip 77 to a leg of one of the angular drum rings 73. ln order to anchor the ends of the arcuate corrugated pieces or screens 76, plates or bands 79 areV welded to the drum ring '73.at axially spaced intervals.. The plates 79 are spaced at opposite ends with respect to the drum rings and screen ends 76a are underlapped underneath the small plate 79 to anchor the screen end '76a onto the drum 72. As is shown in FIGURE 6, each of the corrugated pieces or screens 76 has a series of screen holes 7611 disposed in the valleys of the corrugated pieces or screens '76.

The drum end plate 74 has a stub shaft 80 secured to it which shaft is journalled in bearings 8l provided on the housing 71.

Mounted at an open end of the drum on the housing 71 are a series ot guide rollers 82 and a drive roller 82,'

sheaves (FIGURE 1). The-'drive roller 82' has a drive shaft 83;

and a pulley 84 is mounted thereon. As thedrive shaft S3 is rotated, the drive roller 82' providesa friction drive' for the drum 72. As Vthe drum 72,isdriven,V the rollers 82are engaged withthe axially outermost drum ring 73.

Mounted` at o ne side of the separator housing 71 isa blower fan 85,. The blower 85 includesk a blower; housing S6 which is suitably attached to the separator housing 71.

Disposed internally of the housing 86 is an impeller'87' mounted on ya drive shaft 88 having a pulley 89 at `its outer end. The blower pulley 89 is connected to the separator pulley 84 by means of a pulley belt 90.

The conduit from the impeller cylinder blowerextends into the revolving separator 70 to within about ten inches of. vthe closed endplatel 74'. The blown materials are deposited against the backside of the drum 72 and .lifted by the straw lifters or teeth 73a as the revolvingsepar'ator drum 72 is rotated. The revolving separator Vdrum 72 is rotatedat V24 r.p.m. The diameter of the drum. is thirtysix-,inches and when` operated it causes the speed of the air flow from the blower 85 to be reduced as its reverses cutter and being disposed radially inwardly thereof after being rota-ted past the sickle cutter, and bearings between its direction and comes out shaft housing outlet 9,1'. While the reduced volume of air carries the straw and chaff out ofthe outlet 91, the grain falls through screen apertures Y or holes 76h. The drum reduces the speedof the air dow because the'conduit 61 has a relatively small cross-secv communication with a wagon auger 93 which is adaptedV to carry-thegrainffrom-theimplement 10 and allow it to fall into awagon (not shown) disposed behind the implement. f

To drive the separator drive pulley or roller 82', a pulley belt 94 is stretched over drive pulley 95, which is driven bythe belt 40 from the power take off 42 through pulley 39 and shaft 27. The belt 94 is also stretched over idler pulley 96, cross auger pulleyr97, roll drive pulley 98Vand idler pulley 99, to drive cross auger 92 and theseparator 70. The belt- 90 isoperatedoif theshaft 83 carrying the. thus driven roll drive pulley-82' to Ydrive the blower 85.

Y 'To-drivey the wagon auger 93, it is provided a wagon auger pulleyv 100, a. belt Y101, an idler. pulley -102 and a power take oif pulley 103. The belt 101 is driven by pulleyl 103 to separatethe wagon auger pulley 100.

In summation, it will be appreciated that I have proo vided a novel auger mechanism having eccentrically mounted ights or rods mounted directly on ythe auger in that theauger is disposed directly over the sickle. In this way the flights orrods serve to move the vcut material into the chopper mechanism without` loss of Ygrain in contrast tothe harvesters presently being oeredfor sale. The chopper mechanism as well as the separator alsoembodies novel. features. as already. described and as hereafter claimed.

While I. have shown and described a commercialV embodiment of my novel apparatus, it will bey understood that the same is capable of modification, and that'modica- .tion may be made without departure lfrom the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.-

I claim as my invention: v l

V1. In an agricultural implement including a wheeled frame and a driving mechanism, a transverse-sickle cutter supportedy on said frame for engaging and cuttingl grain and the like, a transverse screw conveyor supported on the frame Iin juxtaposition to the sickle cutter, beater rods eccentricallymounted on said screw,` conveyor; and rotatable therewith and being axially and circumferential- 8 ly spaced'relative to said screw conveyor, for beating the grainreceived from the sickle cutter into the screw conveyor, a rotatinghpaddle and; chopper bar structure mounted on the frameadjacent a' discharge 'end of the screw conveyor for receiving material therefrom,-a rotating sifter drum supported on the frame incommunication with a :discharge-'outlet in the paddle structure, blower means supported on the, frame for-blowing the chaff out' of the sifterdrum, conveyor meansoperatively-connected.

with the sifter drum fori deliveringthe material `from the sifter drum to a remote point, said transverse screw conveyor having adrive shaftan'd including atubular screw conveyor housing and a screw on the housing and extending outwardly thereof, a xedly mounted beater-rod supr port shaft eccentrically disposed interiorly of saidtubular screw conveyor housing, Isaid beater rodsbeingpivotally connected-to said beater trodl support shaftV and extended radially through 'andirotatable in unison with the screw conveyor housing, said 'rods being extendedradially. beyondsaid screw when being rotated over saidsickle saidfxedly mountedbeater lrod supportshaft and said rods permitting said rods to be 4rotated 360.,

2. In van agricultural implement includinga wheeled frame and a drivingV mechanism, a transverse sickle cutter supported on said `frame for, engaging and cutting grain andthe likea transverse screw conveyor supported on the frame in juxtapositionto the sickle cutter, beater rods eccentrically mounted on said screw conveyor and rotatable therewith Vand'being axially and circumferentially spaced relative to said screw conveyor for beating the grainreceivedfrom the sickle cutter intoV the screw conveyor, a rotating4 Vpaddle and choppery bar structure mountedon 'the frame adjacent a discharge end of the screw conveyor for receiving material therefrom, a rotatingsifter drum'supported .on vthe frame in communication with a discharge outlet 'in the paddle structure, blower means supported on the frame for blowing the` chaff out of the sifter drum, conveyormeans opera-tively connected with thejsifter` drum for delivering the material from the sifter drum to a remote point, saidtransverse screw conveyor havingadrive shaft; and including a tubular screw conveyor housing andascrewv onthe housing and extending 'outwardly thereof, aixedly mounted beater rod support shaft eccentrically disposed interiorly of said ,tubularr screw conveyor housing, saidbeater rods being pivotally connected: to said beater rod supportshaft and extended radially through and rotatable in unison'with the screwv conveyor housing, said rods being extended radially ibeyond said screw when being rotated over said sickle rcutter and beingqdisposed radiallyinwardly thereof after being rotated' past the. sickle cutter, and Vguide 'means'von said screw and with said rods being guided thereby jas the relative position of, the'rods andz the screw conveyor housinglis altered during rotation ofthe rods and-the, screw conveyor housing in unison together.;-

3. In an agricultural implementincluding azwheeled frame, a transverse1sicklef cutter supported on'said frame for engaging and'cutting Ygrain and-thelike, a transverse screw conveyor supported on the frame directly over the sickle cutter,rbeater rods eccentrically mounted on said Y screw conveyor andibeing axially rand c ircumferentially spaced relative to said screw conveyor for beating the grain received from the sickle cutter into the screw conveyor, said/transverse screw conveyor having a drive shaft and including a tubularscrew conveyorhousing secured thereon, said tubular housing having a screwonthe vhousrotated over said sickle cutter and being disposed radially inwardly of its outermost position after being rotated past the sickle cutter.

d. in an agricultural implement including a wheeled frame, a transverse sickle cutter supported on said frame for engaging and cutting grain and the like, a transverse screw conveyor supported on the frame directly over the sickle cutter, beater rods eccentrically mounted on said screw conveyor and being axially and circumferentially spaced relative to said screw conveyor for beating the grain received from the sickle cutter into the screw conveyor, said transverse screw conveyor having a drive shalt and including a tubular screw conveyor housing secured thereon, said tubular housing having a screw on the housing and extending outwardly thereof, a beater rod support shaft eccentrically disposed interiorly of and lixedly mounted on said tubular screw conveyor housing, said beater rods being pivotally connected to said beater rod support shaft for 360 rotation about said shalt, said beater rods being extended radially through the screw conveyor' housing, radially beyond said screw when being rotated over said sickle cutter and being disposed radially inwardly o its outermost position after being rotated past the sickle cutter, and guide means on the screw in cluding ball and socket connections between the beater rods and the screw to facilitate eccentric movement between the beater rods and the conveyor housing.

5. ln an agricultural implement including a main axle and a frame rotatably mounted on said axle, a transverse sickle cutter supported on said frame for engaging and cutting grain and the like, a transverse screw conveyor supported on the frame directly over the sickle cutter and having a tubular housing with an auger blade mounted thereon, fingers extendable and retractable eccentrically mounted at one end in said tubular housing and on said auger blade adjacent its opposite end, said lingers being disposed along the length of said auger blade and being extended forwardly of the sickle cutter as the screw conveyor is rotated for moving the grain received from the sickle cutter into the screw conveyor and being retracted as the flights are rotated over the sickle cutter.

6. ln an agricultural implement including a wheeled frame, a transverse sickle cutter supported on said frame for engaging and cutting grain and the like, a transverse screw conveyor including an auger blade supported on the frame directly over the sickle critter, lingers eccentrically mounted on said screw conveyor on said auger blade and rotatable therewith and being axially spaced along the length of said auger blade for moving the grain received from the sickle cutter into the screw conveyor, a rotating blower and chopper structure mounted on the trarne adjacent a discharge end of the screw conveyor for receiving material therefrom, and a rotating separator drum supported on the frame in communication with a discharge outlet in the paddle structure.

7. ln an agricultural implement including a wheeled trarne, a transverse sickle cutter supported on said frame for engaging and cutting grain and the lire, a transverse screw conveyor including an auger blade supported on the frame directly over the sickle cutter, lingers eccentrically mounted on said screw conveyor on said auger blade and rotatable therewith and being axially spaced along the length of said auger blade for moving the grain received from the sickle cutter into the screw conveyor,

- a rotating blower and chopper structure mounted on the frame adjacent a discharge end of the screw conveyor for receiving material therefrom, and a grate mounted over a discharge opening on said rotating blower and chopper structure enabling the implement to be operated as a hay chopper.

8. ln an agricultural implement including a wheeled frame, a transverse sickle cutter supported on said frame for engaging and cutting grain and the like, a transverse screw conveyor including an auger blade supported on the frame directly over the sickle cutter, lingers eccen- Cil trically mounted on said screw conveyor on said auger blade and rotatable therewith and being axially spaced along the length of said auger blade for moving the grain received from the sickle cutter into the screw conveyor, a rotating blower and chopper structure mounted on the frame adjacent a discharge end of the screw conveyor for receiving material therefrom, and a grate mounted over a discharge opening on said rotating blower and chopper structure enabling the implement to be operated as a hay chopper, said rotating blower and chopper including axially spaced sets of circumferentially spaced rotating hammers, said grate having axially spaced circumferentially facing sharp cutting tips with said hammers being rotatable between said tips to eiect cutting.

9. A cutting and conveying mechanism for an agricultural implement including a transverse sickle cutter adapted to be supported on an implement frame for engaging and cutting grain and the like, a transverse screw conveyor mounted directly over said sickle cutter and having a tubular housing with an auger blade mounted thereon, and retractable ngers eccentrically mounted at one end in said tubular housing and mounted on said auger blade adjacent its trailing side, and lingers being disposed along the length of said auger blade for moving the grain received from the sickle cutter into the screw conveyor.

lil. A cutting and conveying mechanism for an agricultural implement including a conveyor trough, a transverse cutter mounted along a forward edge of the conveyor trough, a transverse screw conveyor mounted directly over said cutter and having an auger blade mounted thereon, and radially extendible lingers disposed behind a trailing edge of said auger blade carried on said transverse screw conveyor for rotation therewith, and means for extending the outer ends of the radially extendible lingers outwardly and forwardly of the transverse cutter for sweeping grain and the like into the conveyor trough and for retracting the lingers as the other ends are rotated over and past the transverse critter.

11. A cutting and conveying mechanism for an agricultural implement including a conveyor trough, a transverse cutter mounted along a forward edge of the conveyor trough, a transverse screw conveyor mounted directly over said cutter and having an auger blade mounted thereon, and radially extendible lingers disposed behind a trailing edge of said auger blade eccentrically carried on said transverse screw conveyor at one end for rotation therewith and mounted on said auger blade behind its trailing edge, and means for extending said lingers outwardly and forwardly of the transverse cutter for sweeping grain and the like into the conveyor trough and for retracting the lingers as they are rotated over and past the transverse cutter.

12. In an agricultural implement including a wheeled frame, a transverse sickle cutter supported on said frame for engaging and cutting grain and the like, a transverse screw conveyor supported on the frame directly over the sickle cutter, beater rods eccentrically mounted on said screw conveyor and being axially and circumferentially spaced relative to said screw conveyor for beating the grain received from the sickle cutter into the screw conveyor, said transverse screw conveyor having a drive shaft and including a tubular screw conveyor housing secured thereon, said tubular housing having a screw on the housing and extending outwardly thereof, and a beater rod support shaft eccentrically disposed interiorly of and lixedly mounted on said tubular screw conveyor housing, said beater rods being pivotally connected to said beater rod support shaft for 360 rotation about said shaft, said beater rods being extended radially through the screw conveyor housing, radially beyond said screw and forwardly of said sickle cutter when being rotated over said sickle cutter and being disposed radially inwardly of its outermost position after being rotated past the sickle cutter.

13. ln an agricultural implement including a wheeled frame, artransverse'sickle cutter supported ontsaid frame for engagingy and cutting grain and the like, a transverse screw conveyor and being axially and circumferentially 'spaced relative to said screw conveyor for beating the grain received frornthe sickle cuttery into the screw conveyor, said transverse screw'conveyor having a drive shaft and includinga tubular screwconveyor housing'secured thereon, said tubular housing having a screw on the hous` ing andextending outwardly thereofa beater rod support shaft eccentrically disposed interiorly of and ixedly,-

mounted on said tubular screw'conveyorhousing, said beater rods being pivotally connected to said beater rod. supporti shaft for 360 rotation about said shaft, said beater rods being extended radially through the,v screw conveyor housing, radially beyond. said screw and forwardly of said sickle cutter when beingV rotated over said sickle cutter` and being disposedl radially inwardly of its outermost position after being rotated past the sicklecutter, and guide means on a .trailing side of the screw to; facilitate eccentric movement between the beater rods and the conveyor housing. Y

14. AV cutting and conveying mechanism for an agricultural implement including a. conveyor trough, a transverse cutter mounted along'a forward edge of the conveyor trough, a transverse screw conveyor mounted 'directly over said-cutter and having an auger blade mounted thereon, and radially extendible lingers disposed Vbehind'a Iii?, trailing edge'of said auger blade eccentrically carried on said transverse screw conveyor Lat one end for rotation therewith and mounted on said auger ,blade behind its trailing edge, means fory extendingsaid ngers outwardly and forwardly of the transverse cutter for sweeping grain andthe like into the conveyor` trough and for retracting the lingers asthey are rotated over and past the transverse cutter,'and mounting means connected with said fingers enabling said lingers to swivel relative-to said auger blade,

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 491,264 2/93 Rekart 56-220 1,645,856 10/27. Eichelberger 56-220 1,907,344 5/33 Climer 209-295 2,503,416v 4/50 Russell 56-1 2,644,284 7/53 Gberholtz 56-21 2,670,582 3/54 Hyman 56-21 2,760,326 8/56 Smith 56-23 2,770,937 11/56,v Huddle ,56-1 2,822,812 2/58 Edwards 56-21 X 2,848,029 Y y8/58 West 146-107 2,915,182 12/59A Burnet et al 209-294 2,938,557 5/60 Campbell 146-107 3,023,560 3/62` Krahn 56-23 T. GRAHAM CRAVER, Primary Examiner.

CARL W. ROBINSON, RUSSELL R.A KINSEY,

- t Examiners. 

1. IN AN AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT INCLUDING A WHEELED FRAME AND A DRIVING MECHANISM, A TRANSVERSE SICKLE CUTTER SUPPORTED ON SAID FRAME FOR ENGAGING AND CUTTING GRAIN AND THE LIKE, A TRANSVERSE SCREW CONVEYOR SUPPORTED ON THE FRAME IN JUXTAPOSITION TO THE SICKLE CUTTER, BEATER RODS ECCENTRICALLY MOUNTED ON SAID SCREW CONVEYOR AND ROTATABLE THEREWITH AND BEING AXIALLY AND CIRCUMFERENTIALLY SPACED RELATIVE TO SAID SCREW CONVEYOR FOR HEATING THE GRAIN RECEIVED FROM THE SICKLE CUTTER INTO THE SCREW CONVEYOR, A ROTATING PADDLE AND CHOPPER BAR STRUCTURE MOUNTED ON THE FRAME ADJACENT A DISCHARGE END OF THE SCREW CONVEYOR FOR RECEIVING MATERIAL THEREFROM, A ROTATING SIFTER DRUM SUPPORTED ON THE FRAME IN COMMUNICATION WITH A DISCHARGE OUTLET IN THE PADDLE STRUCTURE, BLOWER MEANS SUPPORTED ON THE FRAME FOR BLOWING THE CHAFF OUT OF THE SIFTER DRUM, CONVEYOR MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTED WITH THE SIFTER DRUM FOR DELIVERING THE MATERIAL FROM THE SIFTER DRUM TO A REMOTE POINT, SAID TRANSVERSE SCREW CONVEYOR HAVING A DRIVE SHAFT AND INCLUDING A TUBULAR SCREW CONVEYOR HOUSING AND A SCREW ON THE HOUSING AND EXTENDING OUTWARDLY THEREOF, A FIXEDLY MOUNTED BEATER ROD SUPPORT SHAFT ECCENTRICALLY DISPOSED INTERIORLY OF SAID TUBULAR SCREW CONVEYOR HOUSING, SAID HEATER RODS BEING PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO SAID BEATER ROD SUPPORT SHAFT AND EXTENDED RADIALLY THROUGH AND ROTATABLE IN UNISION WITH THE SCREW CONVEYOR HOUSING, SAID RODS BEING EXTENDED RADIALLY BEYOND SAID SCREW WHEN BEING ROTATED OVER SAID SICKLE CUTTER AND BEING DISPOSED RADIALLY INWARDLY THEREOF AFTER BEING ROTATED PAST THE SICKLE CUTTER, AND BEARINGS BETWEEN SAID FIXEDLY MOUNTED HEATER ROD SUPPORT SHAFT AND SAID RODS PERMITTING SAID RODS TO BE ROTATED 360*. 